by Frank Schroth
Note – Click on the image for a larger view. You can find all related documents complete with plans on town web site here.
Mill Creek is proposing to develop an apartment complex on Brush Hill Road. The plans call for 276 units of which 69 (25%) will be affordable. The firm acquired 3 properties which combined are ~22 acres.
It is being proposed under Chapter 40B which grants developers relief from local zoning requirements if 20-25% of proposed development is affordable housing. In this case the density of the proposal is greater than Milton zoning would permit. The units will consist of 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms.
Mill Creek is a real estate development firm that specializes in high end apartment complexes. According to company literature they built 3,000 units of rental property in 2011 and had a goal of constructing 6,000 units in 2012.
The land slopes back from the road. The larger buildings will be placed in the back of the lot to minimize the impact of the overall roof height of the larger buildings in the back.
Altogether the development has three groups of buildings: the first group consists of a one story clubhouse and series of 2 story townhomes; the second group is of 7 clusters of town homes, parking garages, and two 3 to 5 story residential buildings; and a third group consists of a 4-5 story building and smaller garage structures.
This is one of two 40B proposals recently filed. The other is at 131 Eliot Street. A town like Milton is susceptible to 40B proposals if the state requirement of having 10% of housing inventory at an affordable level. Milton’s affordable housing stock is ~4.5%.
The Board of Selectmen will be discussing this development at their meeting on Thursday evening (3/21). There is also a related hearing Thursday at the state house on a bill filed by Representative Timilty to protect Fowl Meadow which abuts the proposed development site. Residents has expressed concern regarding environmental impacts and further traffic congestion on Brush Hill Road.
Related articles and links
Change urged in housing measure – Boston Globe, 3/3/13